Ask Jos

ASK JOS

If you could interview your favourite sporting hero, what would you ask? We decided to let you put your questions to Jos Buttler...we think you did a great job..

Nathan Johnston of Australia asks:

As one of the leading short form wicketkeeper/batsman in the game, do you have any advice or tips and drills for younger keepers about how to improve their all round game?

“I’d say have a mentality of not having limits and don’t be afraid to try and learn new things. The game is always evolving. The most important thing is to enjoy your cricket and enjoy your practice time. The more enjoyment you get out of cricket the more you’ll want to do. Don’t limit yourself. Try things and enjoy it.

Damon Faulkner of Australia asks:

Who was your inspiration when u were younger?

“A couple. Adam Glichrist was an obvious one as a wicket-keeper/batsman and I really liked Jonty Rhodes as well as a kid. I like the way he threw himself around in the field and the way he played.”

Jennie Evans of Australia asks:

Who is the hardest bowler to keep to? And why??

“Mark Wood is quite tricky to keep wicket to because he’s one of the fastest bowlers but he's also quite short and skiddy so you have to stand very close and he makes it swing after it comes past the bat. You have to be on your toes when he’s bowling.”

Lincoln Rixon-petty of Australia asks:

Hey Jos, When you were young what did you do to take your game to the next level?

“I always had the belief I could do things and and felt I could play professional sport. Playing with older kids and men’s cricket as soon as you can toughens you up and when you’re back against lads your own age, you have already been tested out against bigger lads and that’s a great way to improve.”

Connor Lockhart of Australia asks:

What is it Jos, that inspires you to not just win but to improve your game and better yourself each and every time you walk onto the pitch?

“Sometimes I’m a perfectionist. You’re always striving for that perfect performance and the thing with cricket is, as a batsman, you always finish on a down because you get out. You always feel like you could do more unless you’re not out and score 200 or so. It’s such a leveler. It leaves you wanting more and you can’t let that challenge get you down.”

Blake O'Donnell of Australia asks:

If you were to have another job besides being a cricketer what would it be?

“I’d like to be a postman. I could deliver the letters in the morning and then play golf in the afternoon!”

Max Mikedis of Australia asks:

Do you like short or long cut wicket keeping gloves. Explain Why?

“I like the long cut wicket keeping gloves. That’s just my preference. It just feels right when I put them on. The short ones feel like my catching area is smaller even though it has nothing to do with that. Long gloves just suit me better and I’ve always used them.”

Pranav Chilamkurti of Australia asks:

What is your advice to youngsters who are ambitious to become a cricket superstar

“Keep believing.”

Rebecca Taylor of Australia asks:

All cricketers have a memorable game, I want to jog your memory, what is your most memorable game from your junior cricketing days?

“Maybe scoring my first hundred for Somerset Under 12s against Gloucester U12s at Glastonbury. My dad said he’d give me £100 when I got my first hundred so I remember looking over at him with a big grin thinking I was going to be rich.”

Harman Sekhon of Australia asks:

How much practice would a player have to put in if they want to reach your level?

“It’s not time, it’s the quality of your practice. Everyone practices for different amounts of time but if you practice well for half an hour that’s more valuable than practicing badly for two hours.”

Lachlan Diven of Australia asks:

"If you were needed to hit a six, off the last ball of the match, in a T20, what shot would you play?"

“I’d try to stay calm and react to what comes down. I would be looking to hit straight but not get so preoccupied with that that I can’t hit it anywhere else. I’d look to hit it straight back over the bowler’s head but not limit myself.”

Cody Wilken of Australia asks:

What drills do you do to improve your cricket shots?

“Some good drills are simple under arm drills or throw downs where you know exactly where the ball will be the majoirty of the time. You can work on a specific shot, work on your hand speed, especially for innovative shots it ‘s good to have practice where you know where the ball is going to be at all times so you’ve got that trust. Simple throws with a good feed is a great way to practice your shots.”

Akshay Suryavanshi of India asks:

What is your diet like? How do you stay fit and healthy?

“My diet is generally ok. I quite like eating good food and I’m a big fan of Asian foods with the odd curry when I’m in India. I’ve got a soft spot for chocolate which is my vice.”

Akik Kothekar of India asks:

What is your fitness and workout regime and how has it affected your game over the years?

“I feel naturally quite athletic but the coaches and fitness guys around me get me to do specific things that can really improve my cricket. Wicket-keeping, you can use resistance bands to test you and for batting - a lot of the rotational drills they get us to do in the gym help with the power side of your game

Huzefa Chawre of India asks:

What is the one ever-lasting memory or impression that you'd take back from your first season of the IPL?

“The main thing was the mentality of the players and that they are the best player in the world and can do special things to win the game for the team. They have that bit of selfishness and want to be the one to stand up and do it for the team.”

Ansh Tokas of India asks:

So Jos, you are now a world class wicket keeper- batsman. Your parent's must have supported you in your childhood. Do you miss them on tours? How often do you call them? Did they want you to focus on your studies more or on cricket?

“I’ve been really lucky. My parents were fantastic for me growing up. They let me play all sports and ferried me to and from games. They always wanted me to do well and try things out without putting too much pressure on me. They wanted the best for me but they weren’t pushy. My mum ran the cricket team at Cheddar for a while so she was always around which was great. When you’re touring you miss them a lot but I've grown up a bit now so I don’t miss them as much.”

Gopal Sain of India asks:

Who is your favorite bastman....sir?

AB de Villiers. In my opinion he’s probably the most complete batsman for all formats ever to play the game.

Leandro Jayarajah of Italy asks:

What is the biggest sacrifice you had to make become a professional cricketer?

“You make huge sacrifices of time. You miss things like your mates and their parties, things like that. At the same time, parents, coaches, family and friends make big sacrifices for you as well. It’s one of the things you have to get used to.”

Matt Colee of New Zealand asks:

What is your favourite cricket ground to play at ?

Trent Bridge or the Oval. The Oval has always seemed to have memories of great matches and Trent Bridge is a nice ground with a great wicket so I’ve got good memories there too..”

Jack Butler of New Zealand asks:

Were you the best in your team as a kid?

“Yes! Or at least I thought it was.”

Rowan Steyn of South Africa asks:

Hi sir what is the weight of your bats and do you prefer a high, mid or low middle?

“Bat is 2lb 10 and low middle.”

Aiden Reid of South Africa asks:

Describe the feeling you get when you reach your ton and everyone in the crowd stands up and claps for you?

“It’s a great sense of relief and overriding joy. Scoring hundreds are less common for some than others. It’s a great moment when you manage to reach three figures.”

Riaz Chowdhury of United Arab Emirates asks:

If you could play cricket in an era, which era would that be any why?

“I’d play in this era because I really like T20 cricket and there are some great T20 tournaments around. Cricket is at an exciting point.”

Mark Butcher of United Kingdom asks:

If you could go back in time what advice would you give yourself as a teenager playing county cricket?

“Don’t worry so much. Always see the positive side of things and don’t get worked up if you don't get runs on a particular day or don't do as well as other players in the team. Relax and get stuck in.”

Nikhil Mathias of United Kingdom asks:

Was cricket your main sport as a child? If not what other sport did you play? Thanks

“I tried as many sports as I could. Ball sports like rugby, football, tennis, bit of hockey, golf. I tried most.”

Jules Moore of United Kingdom asks:

Who is the best practical joker you have had as a teammate?

“I’m not convinced it’s him but I reckon it’s Joe Root. He goes around snipping people’s socks so you pull your socks on at the end of the day and pull them up to your knees. I think it’s him that does that stuff!”

Hallam Monk of United Kingdom asks:

When playing your 360 degrees shots do you know what shot you are going to play before playing it or do you go on pure instinct?

“I have an idea in my head of what shot I want to play but if the bowler bowls it somewhere I’m not expecting I try to react and use my instincts.”

Rory Robinson of United Kingdom asks:

Who has the worst banter in the England team?

“Steven Finn. He’s got no banter.”

Darren Barnard of United Kingdom asks:

Do you have pre-match superstitions or rituals?

“Food…Around matches I try not to eat duck or onion rings or polos, calamari….

Ben Thomas of United Kingdom asks:

If you could go back in time and choose one batsman to bat with, who would it be and why?